Why Prostitution should be Legal

‹Prostitution has been illegal since the early 1900's, studies have recently began and the results are concluding that prostitution has more benefit than negatives. The reason that prostitution isn't legal, isn't necessarily a morality reason, it is a potential health and safety hazard and is ultimately a fiscal responsibility. This is why it should be legalized. Sex is a consensual act, a natural right and one's prerogative but if you charge for this act, you're committing a crime? According to Webster Dictionary, the definition of prostitution is the act or practice of engaging in promiscuous sexual relations especially for money. In the United States, this act is considered illegal but should it? Nevada allows prostitution in licensed brothels but require routinely test for STDs, should other states join? Because prostitution is a source of income, therefore prostitution should be legal in the United States since the legalization would make sex workers healthier, prostitution is a victimless crime and because the legalization would protect sex workers from heinous crimes.

‹Prostitution is something that has been around for hundreds of years, many women and men use this as a source of income for their families and to survive in this world. Being that prostitution is illegal, men and women are often forced to pursue their career in unsafe environments, with poor quality resources. If prostitution was legalized, sex workers would be allowed to receive better health resources. According to an essay Legalization of Prostitution, the legalization of prostitution will provide a safer environment for the people involved in the sex transaction. The essay mentions that the majority of legalized brothels have mandated that every person that works at the brothel be required to take blood test on the regular basis. (Ray,29) The obvious benefit of functioning in this matter is that it keeps both the sex worker, the clientele and anyone else they may have sexual intercourse with safe. The transmission of the HIV virus can be terminal and thus prevention is crucial. ‹

One of the biggest tragedies that is associated with prostitution is teenage sex trafficking. Many underage girls and boys are harbored into the illegal sex trade every day, this is partially because there is no form of restriction or restraint over prostitution in America. The use of regulations can actually lower the amount of victims drastically because order brings control. The legalization of prostitution would come an age requirement of 18-21. The licensing of prostitution would reduce the number of underage girls that are found on the market and would also eliminate pimps.

In a New York Times article Should Prostitution Be a Crime? the personal story of Meg Munoz is followed as she attends the annual West Coast conference of Amnesty International. In the article it is mentioned that ex workers want the legalization of prostitution because they want to change how they are perceived and policed. The article also states that sex workers are fighting the legal status quo. Social mores and also mainstream feminism, which has typically focused on saving women from the sex trade rather than supporting sex workers who demand greater rights. (Bazelon) There is a negative association with being a sex worker in this society. When tragedies such as rape, murder and robbery happen to sex workers society doesn't empathize the same way because many believe the sex worker put themselves in this position. In reality, because prostitution is illegal, many sex workers have to work in unsafe environments. The legalization of prostitution will give sex workers the same labor rights of all other professions, which can ultimately save their lives.

According to an article on thedailybeast.com, Why it's Time to Legalize Prostitution, it states that sex workers have 45 percent to 75 percent chance of experience violence at the workplace. (REISENWITZ)

The article also states that the there is a 32 percent to 55 percent likelihood that he or she were victims of violence the previous year. Similar to the drug trade, most of the violence that is associated with sex work is rooted around its illegibility. This is because violent people are more likely to prey on sex workers because they almost certain that sex workers will not report them to the police. The fear of being harmed leads sex workers to depend on pimps and madams for protection, yet this still leads to violence. Sex workers also face violence from law enforcement, nearly 30 percent of sex workers reported police abuse in an Ireland study. It is estimated that police actually abuse American sex workers more often than clients do.

In an article written by Seattle University School of Law on why prostitution should be legalized, it stated prostitution is a valid form of labor and argues that prostitution is not inherently harmful to women. (Mathieson) Women have the right to decide what they do with their body, also some deem prostitution as oppressive to some but for others, it can be seen as lucrative and empowering. Women are often left to the mercy of government in regards to what they can and cannot do with their bodies. This should be considered unjust and unfair because it is not equality.

In conclusion, prostitution should be considered for legalization in the United States. Without the protection of the state, sex workers are vulnerable to abuse, assault and robbery, not only from clients but also from law enforcement. Also, women should have the right to decide what they want to do with their body and without the support of the government, this is virtually impossible. Brothels have been proven to work effectively in Nevada, this is because the environment is safe and workers are routinely tested for sexually transmitted diseases. The legalization of prostitution protects sex workers from the vulnerabilities that they must currently face with the illegibility of prostitution. To legalize prostitution is to protect the woman and her right to decide how she wants to make income in this country. Because prostitution is a source of income, therefore prostitution should be legal in the United States since the legalization would make sex workers healthier, prostitution is a victimless crime and because the legalization would protect sex workers from heinous crimes.

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